Volunteers to provide quality 1:1 time on a regular basis to help children and young people to access leisure and recreational opportunities in the local community and to help improve wellbeing. Activities can include going for a walk or going to a local park, doing some arts and crafts, local museums and going for a chat. This quality time would allow a space for children and young people to talk about how they are feeling as well as a time for them to have time in their local community. Some of the befriender roles offered can also be on a 2:1 basis alongside another volunteer or worker which is a great opportunity for volunteers to build up confidence before lone working. Some befriender roles may take place in a school setting depending on the need of the child and may take place during school hours. We also have roles available to help support a parent or to help support a family. The role could be going for a chat and a coffee and be a listening ear to a parent/carer. The family role could be helping to build up the confidence of the parent with the child/children in the home/local community. Our two services that look to support children, young people and parents include the Dundee Child and Family Support Service that supports children and young people with additional support needs and our Families Linked In Project that supports children, young people and parents who have been impacted by substance use in the family setting.

Volunteers to provide quality 1:1 time on a regular basis to help adults (18+) to access leisure and recreational opportunities in the local community and to help improve wellbeing. Activities can include going for a walk or going to a local park, local museums and going for a chat. This quality time would allow a space for a parent to talk about how they are feeling as well as a time for them to have time in their local community. Befriender/mentoring roles are a way of helping adults achieve their goals. The volunteer mentor role can also involve providing both emotional and practical support to work towards specific goals identified by the individual.

Volunteers to provide quality 1:1 time on a regular basis to help children and young people to access leisure and recreational opportunities in the local community and to help improve wellbeing. Activities can include going for a walk or going to a local park, doing some arts and crafts, local museums and going for a chat. This quality time would allow a space for children and young people to talk about how they are feeling as well as a time for them to have time in their local community. Some of the befriender roles offered can also be on a 2:1 basis alongside another volunteer or worker which is a great opportunity for volunteers to build up confidence before lone working. Some befriender/mentoring roles may take place in a school setting depending on the need of the child and may take place during school hours.

At the Dundee Child and Family Support Service we are looking for volunteers to help with our school holiday activity days to provide one to one support (and general group support) in a group setting with other volunteers and staff members. The aim of the group is to support children and young people with additional support needs to engage with activities and to encourage interacting with peers and have fun in a supportive setting. The volunteers’ role is to participate in arranged activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, and games at a local base (i.e. primary school/community centre) or out and about in the local community. Other group work roles that we have available with the Dundee Service include Active Schools (through Dundee Leisure and Culture) which is a group to encourage children and young people with additional support needs in a school setting with physical education. The activities in the group are tailored to meet their individual needs while enabling the children and young people to access physical education. Volunteers support children and young people in various group settings to help them enjoy new experiences, develop new interests and build their confidence. Children, young people and volunteers have the opportunity to go out and about in the local community and have fun!